Appendix P - Landowner Wood Pole Acceptance Form.pdf

SOUTHWESTERN POWER ADMINISTRATION

CONSUMER INFORMATION SHEET AND TREATED WOOD/

USED UTILITY POLE WAIVER

Utility poles are treated with pesticides and fungicides to protect the poles from insect and fungus attack. These chemicals make the wood poles undesirable or hazardous for certain uses. It is important that persons accepting or purchasing used poles from the Southwestern Power

Administration understand and follow the information presented below. Poles will not be given to persons who do not indicate, by signing the consent form, that they have read and understand the following information and that they intend to use the poles in a manner that will not adversely affect human and animal health and water resources.

Potential Health and Environmental Risks

Most wood preservatives may be injurious to human and animal health if they enter the body through inhalation, skin absorption, and ingestion. Effects can include muscular weakness, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal discomfort, respiratory distress, confusion, loss of consciousness, and death. Some of these products may also damage internal organs such as the kidney, liver, pancreas, and spleen. Vapors may irritate eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract. They may cause fetal death or deformity if pregnant women are exposed. The most common form of health hazard from wood preservatives is skin irritation (contact dermatitis) from prolonged skin contact. Some individuals may be more sensitive than others.

Some wood preservatives may be carcinogenic.

Wood preservatives may have adverse effects on domestic animals such as livestock, chickens, and bees. They may also adversely affect wildlife species. Wood preservatives that leach from poles may contaminate ground water and surface water. The chemical may be injurious to aquatic vegetation and aquatic animals.

Precautions and Protective Measures

Exposure to wood preservatives may present certain hazards. Ensure that they are used in well-ventilated areas and that skin is protected from contact. Gloves are recommended. Do not smoke, eat, or drink when working with these preservatives until you have washed your hands. Do not put hands near your face, eyes, or mouth when working with these preservatives.

Wood preservatives penetrate deeply into the wood and remain in pressure treated wood for a long time. Do not assume that they are no longer present just because the wood appears aged or does not smell like preservatives.

Precautions should be taken both when handling the treated wood and in determining where to use the treated wood. Protect yourself from contact and ingestion; do not use in areas where repeated exposure is likely, or with sensitive animals.

Never burn treated wood in open fires or in stoves, fireplaces, or residential boilers because toxic chemicals are produced as a part of the smoke and ashes.

Do not use wood treated with creosote or pentachlorophenol where it will be in frequent or prolonged contact with bare skin (for example, chairs and other outdoor furniture) unless an effective sealer has been applied.

Do not use creosote treated wood in residential interiors. Do not use pentachlorophenol treated wood in residential, industrial, or commercial interiors, or creosote treated wood in commercial or industrial interiors, except where at least two coats of an appropriate sealer are applied.

Do not use wood treated with creosote or pentachlorophenol in the interiors of farm buildings where there may be direct contact with domestic animals or livestock which may crib (bite) or lick the wood.

Do not use creosote or pentachlorophenol treated wood for farrowing or brooding facilities.

Do not use treated wood under circumstances where the preservative may become a component of food or animal feed. Examples of such sites would be structures or containers for storing silage or food.

Do not use treated wood for counter tops or cutting boards.

Only treated wood that is visibly clean and free of surface residue should be used for patios, decks, and walkways.

Do not use treated wood for construction of those portions of beehives that may come into contact with the honey.

Do not use any treated wood where it may come into direct or indirect contact with public drinking water.

Do not use creosote or pentachlorophenol treated wood where it may come in contact with drinking water for domestic animals or livestock.

Do not use logs treated with pentachlorophenol for log homes.

Avoid frequent or prolonged skin contact with creosote or pentachlorophenol treated wood.

When handling the treated wood wear tightly woven coveralls and use gloves impervious to the chemicals (for example, gloves that are vinyl-coated).

Avoid frequent or prolonged inhalation of sawdust from treated wood. When sawing or machining treated wood, wear a dust mask and wear goggles to protect eyes from flying particles. Whenever possible, these operations should be performed outdoors to avoid indoor accumulation of airborne sawdust from treated wood.

Wash exposed areas thoroughly after skin contact with treated wood. After handling treated wood, always wash before eating, drinking, or using tobacco products.

If wood preservatives or sawdust accumulate on clothes, launder before reuse. Wash work clothes separately from other household clothing.

Coal tar pitch and coal tar pitch emulsion are effective sealers for creosote treated wood block flooring. Urethane, epoxy, and shellac are acceptable sealers for all creosote treated wood.

Urethane, shellac, latex epoxy enamel and varnish are effective sealers for pentachlorophenol treated wood.

I, _______________________, have read and understand the information in the (print name)

Consumer Information Sheet on Treated Wood Poles. I understand that the wood preservatives may cause adverse effects on human and animal health and can adversely affect ground water and surface waters. In addition, I agree to use the wood poles in a manner consistent with protection of human and animal health, and water resources.

Signature of person receiving and using used poles Date